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#4358554 - 05/21/17 01:47 PM OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way  
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
RAF_Louvert Offline
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert  Offline
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
.

Greetings All,

As some of you know, I've been collecting WWI militariana for quite some time, and while most of it focuses on aviation-related paraphernalia and 1st edition books I also have the odd general Great War items as well. One such item that I've been searching for over time is a solid, original M1917 US "Brodie" or "Doughboy" helmet as it is one of THE iconic images from WWI. At first I thought I might find a good original shell and do a restoration on it, but as that can cost upwards of $120 to do a proper job I decided instead to invest that money in a nice original, provided I could find one I liked in that price range. I have looked at hundreds over the last year or so, both online and in antique and 2nd hand shops, but have failed to find "the one". As a rule, if I found a potential candidate for a C-note or less it was in fairly rough shape with the liner being anywhere from tatty to gone altogether and the shell being rusted and/or repainted. What I was after was one with its original textured finish on the outside and a clean, solid original liner on the inside, but when I ran across such an example it was invariably priced far higher than what I was willing to pay. But this week - ah, this week - I found that most holy grail that I'd been seeking. A fellow online was selling one in my price range that had been in his own collection for the past 45 years. He informed me that it had come from the estate of a Michigan veteran who had served "over there" in the Great War, and that the helmet in question was indeed all original and very clean. From the photos he provided it looked to be all that and more. The production code stamped into the brim is "187 ZD" which, from my research, indicates it was made some time in early-to-mid 1918. Further, the maker's mark on the liner is for the Leatherwear Company of America located at 561-563 Broadway, and this coincides precisely with the shell stamping as the aforementioned company moved to that address in January of 1918 in order to fulfill a government contract for helmet liners. Add to this the veteran who purportedly wore this helmet was from Michigan which means in all likelihood he was with the 32nd "Red Arrow" Division, the bulk of which was sent to France in February and March of 1918. All the stars aligned.

I am now waiting anxiously for the helmet to arrive so that I might inspect it in person and see if it is truly as fantastic as the pictures provided make it look. I am posting just a couple of those many pictures here and rest assured I will post more of my own as soon as I have the item in my trembling hands.

Oh the sweet, sweet anticipation. Cheers All!

Lou

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Attached Files WWI US Brodie helmet 01.jpgWWI US Brodie helmet 02.jpg

[Linked Image]

Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked.
_________________________________________________________________________

Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above.
"pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"

#4358561 - 05/21/17 03:11 PM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: RAF_Louvert]  
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,704
Rick_Rawlings Offline
Senior Member
Rick_Rawlings  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,704
Congratulations, Lou! I hope it is everything as advertised! It's definitely going to be in good hands! salute


The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...
#4358562 - 05/21/17 03:37 PM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: Rick_Rawlings]  
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Fullofit Offline
Senior Member
Fullofit  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,696
Ajax, ON
Originally Posted by Rick_Rawlings
Congratulations, Lou! I hope it is everything as advertised! It's definitely going to be in good hands! salute

Robert, don't you mean on good head? duh

Congrats Lou on a great find. It almost looks too good to be true and a holy grail to boot.
My wife collects Hermes scarves and anything else she can get her hands on that luxury brand. She has a whole list of holy grails, which to me seems odd. One thing Indiana Jones taught me is that there is only one grail.
Anyways, apart from being able to distinguish between a Birkin and a Kelly she also introduced me to other collector terms, such as "albatross": a grail that you finally get, but are disappointed with because it falls short of your expectations.
Another term is "scrubber": that's the one that you hate once you get. Apparently it comes from the experience of trying on perfumes. They spray it on you, it stinks and you want to scrub it off.
Hope yours is a true grail.


"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys,
The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain,
From out of my arse take the camshaft,
And assemble the engine again."
#4358588 - 05/21/17 07:32 PM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: RAF_Louvert]  
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 997
HumanDrone Offline
Just shoot me...
HumanDrone  Offline
Just shoot me...
Member

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 997
Near Pittsburgh, PA USA
Amazing! Great find, I'm happy for you. Did he actually give you the veteran's name? It'd be great to know, to keep the provenance (as it were) intact.

Good on ya! My, that really looks good.


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#4358598 - 05/21/17 08:20 PM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: RAF_Louvert]  
Joined: May 2012
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Hasse Offline
Member
Hasse  Offline
Member

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,743
Lou, that helmet is a fine addition to your militaria collection. And it will be in good hands with you as its new owner - of that I'm certain. Congrats!

The lining appears to be in particularly good shape for such an old helmet.


"Upon my word I've had as much excitement on a car as in the air, especially since the R.F.C. have had women drivers."

James McCudden, Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps
#4358602 - 05/21/17 08:47 PM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: RAF_Louvert]  
Joined: Sep 2015
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Stache Offline
Member
Stache  Offline
Member

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 799
Michigan, USA
That's a mighty fine looking piece. Good things come to those who wait.


Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. A. Einstein

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#4358620 - 05/21/17 11:36 PM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: RAF_Louvert]  
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,086
MFair Offline
Senior Member
MFair  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,086
Christmas in May. Congratulations Lou!


Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from either end.
BOC Member since....I can't remember!
#4358815 - 05/23/17 12:50 AM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: RAF_Louvert]  
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 192
Mr_Dirt Offline
Member
Mr_Dirt  Offline
Member

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 192
Missouri USA
Very nice Lou it will find a treasured place in your fine collection. A finer place it could not have found.

#4358824 - 05/23/17 01:33 AM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: RAF_Louvert]  
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
Raine Offline
Member
Raine  Offline
Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,105
New Brunswick, Canada
Great addition Lou! Wear it in good health.

#4359452 - 05/25/17 05:28 PM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: RAF_Louvert]  
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 157
RAF28Jenks Offline
Barmy Aviator Ordinaire'
RAF28Jenks  Offline
Barmy Aviator Ordinaire'
Member

Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 157
Kentucky
Great find Lou!

I've only a few things but am looking to expand my collection eventually. Lots of other things to finance/pay off first, but looking forward to the scouring process! smile


RAF28Jenks
[Linked Image][Linked Image][Linked Image]
RBWL 3 - 2002


#4359495 - 05/25/17 10:42 PM Re: OT: An original M1917 US Brodie helmet is heading my way [Re: RAF_Louvert]  
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,659
carrick58 Offline
Hotshot
carrick58  Offline
Hotshot

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,659
Con grats Lou on a Great find for ur collection.


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